Location detection system for a patient handling device

ABSTRACT

A location detection system for a facility including a patient handling device for supporting a patient and being mobile for positioning at a location in the facility, a locator fixed relative to the patient handling device for transmitting a unique location identifier corresponding to the location of the patient handling device, and a processing station remote from the patient handling device and the locator for receiving the unique location identifier such that the location of the patient handling device can be determined and monitored remotely from the patient handling device. The system further includes a receiver mounted to the patient handling device for receiving the unique location identifier from the locator and a communication module with a unique ID for the patient handling device mounted to the patient handling device and in communication with the receiver and transmitting the unique ID and the unique location identifier received by the receiver from the patient handling device to the processing station such that the patient handling device acts as a communication link between the locator and the processing station, and the processing station receiving the unique location identifier and the unique ID and correlating the unique location identifier with the unique ID and further correlating the unique ID of the patient handling device with a patient supported by the patient handling device wherein the processing station can track the patient handling device and the patient supported thereby.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Pat. applicationSer. No. 11/277,838, filed Mar. 29, 2006, entitled LOCATION DETECTIONSYSTEM FOR A PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE, by Applicants David TerenceBecker, et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/665,955, filed Mar. 29, 2005 and U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/734,083, filed Nov. 7, 2005,which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to location detection systemsfor use in facilities such as healthcare facilities for trackingequipment such as patient handling devices. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to the location detection system havinglocators programmed with unique location identifiers to determine alocation of the patient handling devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Location detection systems are well known in the art for tracking thelocation of personnel and equipment in a facility. These systems havebeen specifically adapted for use in facilities such as healthcarefacilities for tracking healthcare professionals, e.g., nurses andphysicians, and for tracking equipment, e.g., beds, patient monitoringdevices, and the like. A typical location detection system is alsoreferred to as an asset tracking system that utilizes tags thatperiodically transmit a unique identification signal. Receivers arelocated throughout the facility at known locations for receiving theseidentification signals. The receivers are wired to a central computerthat processes the unique identification signals' to determine alocation of the asset associated with the tag.

One disadvantage of such systems is that a typical asset tracking systemdoes not utilize existing infrastructure within the healthcare facility.As a result, the capital costs necessary to provide the infrastructureto accommodate asset tracking is high. For instance, the receivers usedto receive the identification signals from the tags attached to theassets being tracked must be installed throughout the healthcarefacility, as well as wired to the central computer. This requiresconsiderable labor and expense, as well as lengthy disruptions toinstall the wiring.

In today's healthcare facilities, networks are provided for accessingpatient data, equipment data, lab results, and the like. However, withcurrent asset tracking systems, integrating information regarding thelocation of mobile equipment such as patient handling devices withpatient data or other data available on the network is not practical.One reason that most asset tracking systems cannot be integrated whollywith current healthcare facility networks is that these asset trackingsystems are only designed to identify a particular room in which apatient handling device is located. These systems are not designed todetermine a specific zone in the room in which the patient handlingdevice is located. In some healthcare facilities each room mayaccommodate two, three, or more patient handling devices. Therefore,when current asset tracking systems are used, the room location of eachof the patient handling devices can be determined, e.g., the patienthandling devices are in room 1, but they are not sensitive enough todetermine that patient handling device no. 1 is in zone 1 of room 1,patient handling device no. 2 is in zone 2 of room 1, etc. In order forcurrent asset tracking systems to provide this level of location detail,separate receivers are needed in each zone, with each receiver beingwired to the central computer. As a result, the infrastructure costsfurther escalate.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a location detection systemthat can easily be implemented in existing healthcare facilities withlittle capital investment and additional infrastructure while alsoproviding specific location details that enable the location informationto be fully integrated with other data such as patient data and otherequipment data available on existing networks in the healthcarefacility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention provides a location detection system for locatingpatient handling devices in a facility. A locator is fixed at a locationrelative to the patient handling device. The locator transmits a uniquelocation identifier corresponding to the location of the patienthandling device. A processing station, remote from the patient handlingdevice and the locator, receives the unique location identifier suchthat the location of the patient handling device can be determined andmonitored remotely from the patient handling device. A receiver issupported by the patient handling device for receiving the uniquelocation identifier from the locator. A communication module is alsosupported by the patient handling device and is electronically coupledto the receiver for transmitting the unique location identifier from thepatient handling device to the processing station. As a result, thepatient handling device acts as a communication link between the locatorand the processing station.

A method of detecting the location of the patient handling device isalso provided. The method includes transporting the patient handlingdevice to the location in the facility and transmitting the uniquelocation identifier from the locator to the receiver of the patienthandling device. The method also includes transmitting the uniquelocation identifier from the patient handling device to the processingstation remote from the patient handling device such that the locationof the patient handling device can be determined and monitored remotelyfrom the patient handling device.

This system and method have several advantages over the prior art. Forinstance, by placing the receiver on the patient handling device, thepatient handling device acts as the communication link between thelocator and the processing station. Furthermore, by transmitting theunique location identifier from the locator to the receiver and then onto the processing station, there is no need for additionalinfrastructure in the facility to support the locators. Locations can bedetermined simply by placing the locator, programmed with the uniquelocation identifier, in the location of interest, and transmitting thatlocation to the patient handling device, which then sends the uniquelocation identifier onto the processing station. In another aspect ofthe invention, the patient handing device also transmits its own uniqueID thereby correlating the location of the patient handling device toits unique ID. This will enable healthcare facilities to better trackpatients by associating patients with their patient handling devices andfurther associating the patient handling devices with their location inthe healthcare facility, down to the specific zone in the room in whichthe patients and the patient handling devices are located.

In another aspect of the present invention, the location detectionsystem comprises a first locating device associated with the patienthandling device for transmitting a first unique location identifier tothe processing station and a second locating device associated with thepatient handling device for transmitting a second unique locationidentifier to the processing station. In this system, the first uniquelocation identifier corresponds to a first area of the location and thesecond unique location identifier corresponds to a second area of thelocation different than the first area. In one embodiment, the firstunique location identifier identifies the room in which the patienthandling device is located and the second unique location identifieridentifies the zone in the room in which the patient handling device ispositioned. Therefore, the first locating device provides a generalvicinity of the patient handling device, while the second locationdevice further defines the location of the patient handling device inthe general vicinity.

In another aspect of the present invention, existing asset trackingsystems can be utilized to determine general vicinity information forthe patient handling devices such as the room in which they are located,and the patient handling devices can be further outfitted with thesecond locating device to refine the location information down to thespecific zone in the room in which the patient handling device islocated.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of detectingthe location of the patient handling device using the first and secondlocating devices is provided. The method includes transporting thepatient handling device to the location in the facility and transmittinga first unique location identifier to the processing station. The methodalso includes determining the first area location of the patienthandling device from the first unique location identifier andtransmitting a second unique location identifier to the processingstation wherein the first unique location identifier corresponds to thefirst area of the location and the second unique location identifiercorresponds to the second area of the location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a healthcare facility with a network;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a typical room floor plan in the healthcarefacility with two zones labeled A and B, schematically illustrating alocation detection system of the present invention utilizing a locatorconfigured for transmitting a unique location identifier to a receiverlocated on a patient handling device;

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic of the locator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic of the receiver of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process for transmittingthe unique location identifier from the locator to the receiver;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process for requestingthe unique location identifier from the locator;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating alternative location detectionsystems of the present invention utilizing radio frequency, magneticinductance, ultrasonic, or modulated light systems;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing an array of RFIDtags;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing an RFID swipe card;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing a tethered RFIDmagnet tag;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing a nurse call cablewith an integrated RFID tag;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing WiFi access points;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing a power cord withand integrated ID transmitter;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing an Ethernet port totransmit the unique location identifier;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing a mesh network todetermine the location of the patient handling device;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing an asset tag incombination with a switch;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing an asset tag incombination with a sonic distance finder;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing an asset tag incombination with a laser distance finder; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative locationdetection system of the present invention utilizing an asset tag incombination with a hall effect sensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a location detectionsystem for a facility is generally shown at 20. The location detectionsystem 20 is described as being integrated into a patient handlingdevice 22 of a healthcare facility such as a hospital. Patient handlingdevices 22 include devices such as beds, stretchers, cots, wheelchairs,and the like. It should be appreciated that the concepts provided by thepresent invention could also be applied to other devices located in ahealthcare facility including, but not limited to infusion pumps,patient monitoring devices, patient therapy devices such as stand-alonetherapy mattresses, and the like. It should also be appreciated thatthese principles could be applied to non-healthcare facilities. Forpurposes of description, reference is generally made to healthcarefacilities.

Referring to FIG. 1, the healthcare facility includes several systemsthat can be placed in electronic communication with one another througha common network 32. These systems include admission-discharge-transfer(ADT) systems 24 and patient throughput systems 26 such as those offeredby Premise Development Corporation. These systems may also include eICUsystems 28 such as those provided by Cerner Corporation for the remotemonitoring of critically ill patients. A nurse call system 30 may alsobe in communication with the network 32. For instance, a nurse callsystem provided by Rauland-Borg Corporation can be used to instantlytransfer nurse calls from a patient to the network 32, or to thepatient's primary and/or secondary caregivers via a wireless phone 33using well-known messaging interfaces 35. This places the patient inimmediate contact with a healthcare professional to provide faster, moreefficient service.

Several communication devices may also be used to access the data orinformation provided by these systems 24, 26, 28, 30 to receive messagesor alerts from these systems 24, 26, 28, 30, or to transmit informationto these systems 24, 26, 28, 30. For instance, a wireless badge 46 maybe in communication with these systems 24, 26, 28, 30 via wirelessaccess points 36 provided throughout the healthcare facility. Healthcareprofessionals, e.g., nurses, nurse's aides, medical assistants, nursepractitioners, physician assistants, physicians, etc., may carry thewireless badges 46 to alert the nurse when a patient has called forassistance, or that an alarm condition is present. The nurse could alsouse the wireless badge 46 to speak to a voice recognition system toreport an alarm condition, or to report that the nurse has completed atask, to report any event that may occur in the healthcare facility.Personal digital assistants (PDAs) 38 could also be in communicationwith the networked systems 24, 26, 28, 30 to transfer data andinformation between the PDAs 38 and the network 32. Similarly, laptopcomputers 40 could be used to transfer data and information.

Asset tracking systems 42 may also be integrated into the network 32.Such systems 42 may include those offered by Radianse, Inc., VersusTechnology, Inc. or others to track assets throughout the healthcarefacility. In some embodiments, the location detection system 20 isintended to operate independently of the asset tracking system 42 tospecifically identify the location, e.g., room and zone, of the patienthandling devices 22. In other embodiments, the location detection system20 of the present invention is intended to work in conjunction with theasset tracking system 42 to identify the location of the patienthandling devices 22 in the healthcare facility.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention,the patient handling device 22 is adapted for communicating with thenetwork 32. More specifically, a central processing unit 44 (CPU) of thepatient handling device 22 is in electronic communication with thenetwork 32 via a communication module 48. The CPU 44 carries out thefunctions of the patient handling device 22 such as motor functions forraising or lowering movable sections of the patient handling device 22in response to user input, sensing functions for sensing siderailpositions, bed height, patient position or bed exit, patient weight,brake positions, and the like, as will be appreciated by those skilledin the art, or therapy functions for a therapy mattress, such asrotation, percussion, or vibration functions. The CPU 44 includes thenecessary processors and memory for carrying out these functions as willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The CPU 44 and communication module 48 are physically supported by thepatient handling device 22 to move with the patient handling device 22from location to location. Preferably, one or more housings enclose theCPU 44 and the communication module 48 with the housing or housingsbeing mounted to a frame of the patient handling device 22. As a result,all of the hardware necessary for connecting the CPU 44 of the patienthandling device 22 to the communication module 48 is located on andsupported by the patient handling device 22. It should be appreciatedthat the CPU 44 and the communication module 48 could be integrated intoa single chassis or could be separate connectable components linkedtogether in a wired or wireless configuration. By providing thecommunication module 48 on the patient handling device 22, the patienthandling device 22 acts as a communication center or link fortransmitting data and/or information related to the patient handlingdevice 22, including its location, to the network 32.

The communication module 48 may be connected to the network 32 via awired and/or wireless connection to transfer data and/or informationback and forth between the CPU 44 and the hospital network 32. In awired configuration, the communication module 48 may be a transceiverwired through a communication link 49 to the hospital network 32. Thecommunication link may be an RS-232 cable, and Ethernet-compliant cable,or any other wired connection known to those skilled in the art. In awireless configuration, the communication module 48 may be a wirelesstransceiver or router that is configured with a compatible wirelesstransceiver or router 51 located on the hospital network 32. In someembodiments, both wired and wireless configurations are present on thepatient handling device 22 to easily accommodate user preferences. Itshould be appreciated that in some patient handling devices 22, there isno CPU 44, but instead a plurality of electronic modules thatcommunicate on a peer-to-peer network. In this instance, thecommunication module 48 is simply one of the modules or nodes in thepeer-to-peer network. However, for purposes of description, reference ismade to a master/slave system utilizing the CPU 44 of the patienthandling device 22.

A processing station 50 is in communication with the network 32 toprocess data and/or information received from the various systems 24,26, 28, 30, 42 or the patient handling device 22 via the communicationmodule 48 to configure or control the various systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42or the patient handling device 22. In one embodiment, the processingstation 50 is positioned at a central nurse's station in the healthcarefacility and is implemented in a workstation, e.g., a personal computer,for use at the central nurse station. The workstation may includesoftware configured to manipulate data and/or information received fromthe various systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42 or the patient handling device22. For instance, the workstation may be configured to receive dataand/or information from the communication module 48 of the patienthandling device 22 or to transfer data and/or information back to thepatient handling device 22. Such data may originate from a bed exitdetection system, a bed height detection system, a weight scale, asiderail sensing system that detects a position of the siderails, atherapy mattress, and the like. The processing station 50 preferablyincludes a graphical user interface on a touch-screen display forreviewing and manipulating the data and/or information. It should beappreciated that the processing station 50 may also be a stand-aloneunit that is not located on the network 32, but includes the necessaryhardware to link to the communication module 48 of the patient handlingdevice 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, a typical room floor plan in a healthcare facilityis illustrated. As shown, the room, labeled Room 1, includes two zones,labeled Zone A and Zone B. These zones A, B are also often referred toas bed bays or bed areas. The location detection system 20 of thepresent invention is configured to determine the particular zone inwhich the patient handling device 22 is located. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, two patient handling devices 22 are illustrated for positioningat a location, e.g., Zone A and Zone B, in the healthcare facility. Thelocation detection system 20 shall only be described with reference toone of the patient handling devices 22. Of course, it should beappreciated that the location detection system 20 is utilized todetermine the specific locations of several patient handling devices 22simultaneously throughout the health care facility. Multiple patienthandling devices 22 may also be located in the same zone A, B.

Referring to the patient handling device 22 shown in Zone A of the roomfloor plan of FIG. 2, a locator 52 is fixed relative to the patienthandling device 22. The locator 52 is affixed to a wall of the room, afloor of the room, or a ceiling of the room. The locator 52 may also besuspended from any location in the room such as by a tether or any otherrestraining mechanisms or devices adapted to maintain the locator 52 ina fixed relationship relative to the patient handling device 22. Inother words, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the locator 52 is not designedto be mobile for transport outside of the room. The locator 52 isprogrammed with a unique location identifier that corresponds to thelocation of the patient handling device 22. The unique locationidentifier may simply be a serial number of the locator 52 that isentered into a look-up table stored in accessible memory of theprocessing station 50 and associated with the zone in which the locator52 is installed.

The processing station 50, which is remotely located relative to thepatient handling device 22 and the locator 52, receives the uniquelocation identifier such that the location of the patient handlingdevice 22 can be determined and monitored remotely from the patienthandling device 22. More specifically, a receiver 54 is supported by thepatient handling device 22 and receives the unique location identifiercorresponding to the location, and the communication module 48, which iselectronically coupled to the receiver 54, transmits the unique locationidentifier of the locator 52 from the patient handling device 22 to theprocessing station 50. As a result, the patient handling device 22 actsas a communication link between the locator 52 and the processingstation 50. About the same time, the communication module 48 transmitsor communicates a unique ID of the patient handling device 22 to theprocessing station 50 such that the processing station 50 can correlatethe location of the patient handling device 22 with the unique ID of thepatient handling device 22.

A separate look-up table is utilized by the processing station 50 tocorrelate the unique ID to a patient for which the specific patienthandling device 22 is associated. The processing station 50 thencorrelates the unique ID and patient to the particular zone in which thespecific patient handling device 22 is now located such that thesoftware application installed on the processing station 50 canaccurately manage data corresponding to the specific patient handlingdevice 22 and the patient.

In one embodiment, the locator 52 includes at least one infraredtransmitter 56 for transmitting the unique location identifier to thereceiver 54 and the receiver 54 includes a housing supporting at leastone infrared sensor 58 for receiving the unique location identifier fromthe infrared transmitter 56. In this instance, transmitting the uniquelocation identifier from the locator 52 to the patient handling device22 is further defined as transmitting an infrared location signal fromthe at least one infrared transmitter 56 of the locator 52 to the atleast one infrared sensor 58 of the receiver 54. Those skilled in theart appreciate that other data, besides the unique locationidentification may also be transmitted from the infrared transmitter 56,e.g., battery strength of a battery 60 in the locator 52, time/date,etc.

The receiver 54 is configured to include at least one infraredtransmitter 56 for transmitting a request signal to the locator 52.Likewise, the locator 52 is configured to include at least one infraredsensor 58 to receive the request signal from the receiver 54. Thebattery 60, rechargeable or otherwise, is used to power the locator 52.To conserve battery life, the locator 52 normally operates in a sleepmode until the request signal is received by the at least one infraredsensor 58 of the locator 52.

Referring to the electrical schematic of FIG. 3, one embodiment of thelocator 52 is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the locator 52includes a plurality of infrared transmitters 56 for transmitting theunique location identifier to the receiver 54. Likewise, the locator 52includes a plurality of infrared sensors 58 arranged in a sensor array62 for receiving the request signal from the receiver 54. The locator 52also includes a microprocessor 64 electrically coupled to the sensorarray 62 and the infrared transmitters 56. The microprocessor 64 ispre-programmed with the unique location identifier that corresponds tothe location of the patient handling device 22 and controls the infraredtransmitters 56 to produce a signal with the unique location identifierand transmit the signal to the receiver 54 of the patient handlingdevice 22. The infrared transmitters 56 of the locator 52 are adapted toprovide variable power transmission to minimize cross talk and maximizesignal integrity. The locator 52 is also adapted to modulate lightintensity from the infrared transmitters 56 to maximize noise immunity.Finally, a filter (not shown) may be used to filter the infrared signalto reduce receiver saturation and maximize signal integrity and noiseimmunity.

Referring to the electrical schematic of FIG. 4, one embodiment of thereceiver 54 of the patient handling device 22 is shown in more detail.In this embodiment, the receiver 54 includes a plurality of infraredsensors 58 arranged in a sensor array 62 for receiving the uniquelocation identifier from the infrared transmitters 56 thereby improvingtransmission of the unique location identifier. Likewise, the receiver54 includes a plurality of infrared transmitters 56 for transmitting therequest signal from the receiver 54 to the locator 52 thereby improvingtransmission of the request signal. The receiver 54 may also be batterypowered, but is preferably powered by an AC power source used to power acontrol system and the CPU 44 of the patient handling device 22. Thoseskilled in the art realize that the locator 52 and receiver 54 may eachbe implemented with a single infrared transmitter 56 and infrared sensor58.

Referring to FIG. 5, a process flow diagram illustrates a method ofdetecting the location of the patient handling device 22. Initially, thelocator 52 is in the sleep mode and awaits the request signal from thereceiver 54. In other words, the microprocessor 64 looks on a receptionchannel to see if the patient handling device 22 has requested locationinformation, e.g., the unique location identifier. If the patienthandling device 22 has not requested the unique location identifier, thelocator 52 remains in the sleep mode. If the patient handling device 22sends the request signal and the request signal is properly received andunderstood by the locator 52, then the location signal sends thelocation information, i.e., the unique location identifier on atransmission channel. Once the unique location identifier is sent, thelocator 52 returns to the sleep mode to conserve battery life.

Referring to FIG. 6, a process flow diagram illustrates a method ofsending the request signal to the locator 52 from the receiver 54. Thereceiver 54, which is preferably powered by an AC power source,regularly transmits the request signal to continually update thelocation of the patient handling device 22. The timing of thesetransmissions can differ depending on whether or not the receiver 54 hasrecently received the location information or not. As a result, theremay be multiple predetermined delays between request signals, e.g.,delay #1 and delay #2, which differ in the amount of time betweentransmissions of the request signal to the locator 52 on a transmissionchannel of the receiver 54. Once the location information is received,the information is processed and the unique location identifier is senton to the CPU 44 and ultimately the processing station 50 to determinethe location of the patient handling device 22.

Referring to FIG. 7, alternative location detection systems are shownwith similar features to that of the previously described embodiment. InFIG. 7, the locator 52 may be one of: a radio frequency identification(RFID) tag 76 for transmitting the unique location identifier usingradio frequency; an ultrasonic transmitter 80 for transmitting theunique location identifier using ultrasonic signals; an inductivelycoupled transmitter 84 for transmitting the unique location identifierusing principles of magnetic inductive coupling; or a modulated lighttransmitter 88 for transmitting the unique location identifier usingmodulated light. It should be appreciated that in each of theseembodiments, the receiver 54 is particularly adapted for receiving thespecific signal types mentioned, i.e., the receiver 54 may be a RFIDreader 78, or include an ultrasonic sensor 82, an inductively coupledsensor 86, or a modulated light sensor 90.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, further alternative systems using RFID areshown. It should be appreciated that any of the systems using RFID couldbe active, semi-active, or passive RFID systems as is well known tothose skilled in the art. In general, when a passive system is employed,each of the tags 76 described contains a transponder (not shown) with adigital memory chip (not shown) that is given or programmed with theunique location identifier. An interrogator (not shown), which is anantenna packaged with a transceiver and decoder in the RFID reader 78emits a signal activating the RFID tags 76 so that the interrogator canread and write data to the RFID tags 76. When the patient handlingdevice 22 is moved into the particular zone in the room, the RFID tags76 detect the RFID reader's activation signal. The RFID reader 78 thendecodes the data, e.g., the unique location identifier, encoded in theRFID tag's digital memory chip and the data is passed to the processingstation 50 as previously described.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the locator 52 comprises an RFID tag mat 92that includes an array of RFID tags 76. At least one of the tags 76transmits the unique location identifier, or a selected set of the RFIDtags 76 transmits a signal that is recognized as the unique locationidentifier. In this embodiment, the receiver 54 is an RFID reader 78 forreceiving the signals from the RFID tags 76. In use, the healthcareprofessional or other employee of the healthcare facility would firstmove the patient handling device 22 into position either over the RFIDtag mat 92 or in close proximity to the RFID tag mat 92. The RFID tags76, or at least a portion thereof, would then transmit the uniquelocation identifier to the RFID reader 78, which would then transmit theunique location identifier to the CPU 44 and then to the processingstation 50 located on the network 32 via the communication module 48, aspreviously described.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the locator 52 comprises an RFID swipe card94 having at least one active or passive RFID tag 76. The RFID swipecard 94 is tethered to a head wall 124 of the room using a tether 68.This fixes the RFID swipe card 94 in the room relative to the patienthandling device 22. The receiver 54 is an RFID reader 78 that receivesthe unique location identifier from the RFID tag 76 embedded in the RFIDswipe card 94. In this embodiment, a healthcare professional would firstmove the patient handling device 22 into position in the particular zonein the room and then swipe the RFID swipe card 94 over the RFID reader78 to transfer the unique location identifier from the RFID tag 76 tothe RFID reader 78 and on to the processing station 50.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the locator 52 comprises a magnetic RFIDtag 70. The magnetic RFID tag 70 is tethered to the head wall 124 as inFIG. 9, using a tether 68. However, in this embodiment, the healthcareprofessional or other employee of the healthcare facility does notmerely swipe the magnetic RFID tag 70 to transmit the unique locationidentifier to the RFID reader 78. Instead, the RFID reader 78magnetically attracts the magnetic RFID tag 70 to releasably lock themagnetic RFID tag 70 to the RFID reader 78 to ensure a completetransmission of the unique location identifier to the processing station50 in the manner described above.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the locator 52 comprises an RFID tag 76and the receiver 54 comprises an RFID reader 78 similar to FIGS. 8-10.However, this embodiment further includes a cable 72 that would bemaintained at each zone A, B. The cable 72 interconnects a nurse callinterface of the patient handling device 22 to a standard nurse callinterface port 74 located at each zone A, B. The RFID reader 78 isintegrated into the nurse call interface located on the patient handlingdevice 22 and the RFID tag 76 is integrated into an end of the cable 72such that when the cable 72 connects the nurse call interface on thepatient handling device to the nurse call interface port 74 mounted tothe head wall 124, the RFID tag 76 would transmit the locationinformation, e.g., unique location identifier, to the RFID reader 78 andon to the processing station 50 located on the network 32.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, further alternative systems are shown. In theembodiment of FIG. 12, the locator 52 comprises a plurality of WiFiaccess points 96 located throughout the room and programmed with uniquelocation identifiers for the zones in the room in which they arelocated. This system is capable of triangulating the room and zonelocation of the patient handling device 22 using the WiFi access points96. The receiver 54 further comprises a WiFi transceiver 95 mounted tothe patient handling device 22. The WiFi transceiver is in communicationwith the WiFi access points 96 to receive reference signals transmittedby the WiFi access points 96. In some embodiments, the strength of thesignal received in combination with the unique location identifiersprogrammed into the WiFi access points 96 could be used to triangulatethe room and zone location of the patient handling device 22. The WiFitransceiver 95 communicates the location information to the processingstation 50 located on the network 32.

In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the locator 52 comprises an ID transmitter98 integrated into a 110 Volt AC plug 100 that transmits a referencesignal to the receiver 54 located on the patient handling device 22. Inthis embodiment, the receiver 54 is integrated into a power cordinterface 101 to communicate with the ID transmitter 98 through a powercord 103. The receiver 54 would then communicate the locationinformation, e.g., unique location identifier, to the processing station50 located on the network 32.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the locator 52 comprises an Ethernet port102 and the receiver 54 comprises an Ethernet transceiver 104 mounted tothe patient handling device 22. An Ethernet-compliant cable 106interconnects the Ethernet transceiver 104 and the Ethernet Port 102 tosend location information to the patient handling device 22. TheEthernet transceiver 104 then communicates the location information tothe processing station 50.

In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the system utilizes a mesh network 108with mesh network transceivers 110 to determine the locationinformation. The mesh network 108 may be wired or wireless, preferablywireless to reduce infrastructure costs. The wireless mesh network 108allows mesh network transceivers 110 to transmit data through oneanother onto the network 32 and the processing station 50. In otherwords, in the wireless mesh network 108, access points and wirelessdevices can organize themselves into an ad hoc network, communicatingwith each other to determine the fastest way to send data to the network32. In the wireless mesh network 108, data hops from mesh networktransceiver 110 to mesh network transceiver 110 looking for the shortestavailable path to the network 32 and the processing station 50. Here,each of the patient handling devices 22 is equipped with a mesh networktransceiver 110, which acts as a node on the mesh network 108. Thelocation information is obtained by knowing the association of the meshnetwork transceivers 110 on the patient handling devices 22 relative tothe other mesh network transceivers 110 and/or a base transceiver (notshown). For instance, adjacent patient handling devices 22 in a secondzone of the room, e.g., Zone B of Room 1, could determine the locationinformation using the mesh network transceiver 110 on the patienthandling device 22 in Zone A of Room 1.

Referring to FIGS. 16-19, alternative location detection systems areshown for determining the location in which the patient handling device22 is located by separately determining first and second areas of thelocation. In one embodiment, the first area is the room, e.g., Room 1,in which the patient handling device 22 is located, and the second,subarea, is the zone in the room in which the patient handling device 22is located, e.g., zones A, B. One of the previously described locationdetection systems may be used to determine the first area in which thepatient handling device 22 is located. In this instance, the previouslydescribed systems would be enabled to only provide first area or roomlocations and not specific zone locations. In other words, thepreviously described systems would provide a first locating device,e.g., locator 52, mesh network transceiver 54, etc., associated with thepatient handling device 22 and in communication with the processingstation 50 to transmit a first unique location identifier to theprocessing station 50. The first unique location identifier beingassociated with the first area in which the patient handling device 22is located, but not the subarea or particular zone in which the patienthandling device 22 is located.

The asset tracking system 42 of the healthcare facility could also bethe first locating device used for this purpose. In this instance, eachof the patient handling devices 22 would be equipped with an asset tag114 for tracking the patient handling devices 22 in the healthcarefacility with the asset tracking system 42 being adapted to provide roomlocations for the patient handling devices 22 and transmit those roomlocations to an asset tag receiver 116 on the network 32, and on to theprocessing station 50. For purposes of description, reference is made tothe first locating device being the asset tracking system 42.

The alternative location detection systems of FIGS. 16-19 provide asecond locating device 109 associated with the patient handling device22 and in electronic communication with the processing station 50 totransmit a second unique location identifier to the processing station50. The second unique location identifier corresponds to the subarea orzone in which the patient handling device 22 is located. Thus, the firstunique location identifier provides the general vicinity in which thepatient handling device 22 is located, while the second unique locationidentifier further refines the description of the location to pinpointthe location of the patient handling device 22. Referring first to FIG.16, the second locating device may be an electronic switch 118 that canbe manually actuated to correspond to the appropriate zone A, B. Theswitch 118 would be in communication with the network 32 and processingstation 50 to identify the zone A, B selected.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the second locating device 109 is a sonicdistance sensor 120 or a laser distance finder 122 used to determine thezone A, B in which the patient handling device 22 is located. In theseembodiments, the sonic distance sensors 120 or laser distance finders122 would be adapted to generally measure distances from walls 124, 125located in the first area, e.g., Room 1, to further determine theposition of the patient handling device 22 in the room. A look-up tablecould be loaded into the processing station 50 with predetermined rangesof distances provided to correspond to the different zones A, B. Forinstance, once the patient handling device 22 is wheeled or moved intoroom, the sonic distance sensors 120 or laser distance finder 122 may bemanually or automatically operated to measure the distance frompredetermined boundaries, e.g., walls 124, 125, with the measureddistances being compared to the look-up table and with a correspondingzone A, B selected therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 19, the second locating device is a hall-effect sensor126 operable with a room magnet 128 or plurality of room magnets 128located in the room to determine the zone location of the patienthandling device 22. In each of the embodiments of FIGS. 16-19, the sonicdistance sensors 120, laser distance finder 122, and hall-effect sensor126 would be adapted to transmit signals that communicate, eitherdirectly or indirectly, with the processing station 50 to display theroom and zone location of the patient handling device 22. In oneversion, the communication module 48 is in electronic communication withthese second locating devices 109 and the processing station 50 totransmit the second unique location identifier from the second locatingdevices 109 to the processing station 50. Again, as with the previouslydescribed embodiments, the patient handling device 22 has a unique IDand the communication module 48 communicates the unique ID to theprocessing station 50 such that the processing station 50 can correlatethe first unique location identifier and the second unique locationidentifier to the patient handling device 22 to determine the room andzone location of the patient handling device 22.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A location detection system for a facility, comprising: a patienthandling device having a support surface for supporting a patient andbeing mobile for positioning at a location in the facility; a locatorfixed relative to said patient handling device for transmitting a uniquelocation identifier corresponding to the location of said patienthandling device; a processing station remote from said patient handlingdevice and said locator for receiving said unique location identifiersuch that the location of said patient handling device can be determinedand monitored remotely from said patient handling device; acommunication device mounted to said patient handling device forreceiving said unique location identifier from said locator; and acommunication module mounted to said patient handling device and incommunication with said communication device, said communication modulehaving a unique ID for said patient handling device and transmittingsaid unique ID and said unique location identifier received by saidcommunication device from said patient handling device to saidprocessing station such that said patient handling device acts as acommunication link between said locator and said processing station, andsaid processing station receiving said unique location identifier andsaid unique ID and correlating said unique location identifier with saidunique ID and further correlating said unique ID of said patienthandling device with a patient supported by said patient handling devicewherein said processing station can track said patient and/ or saidpatient handling device, said communication device transmitting arequest signal to said locator, and said locator including a receiverfor receiving said request signal from said communication device.
 2. Alocation detection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locatorincludes at least one infrared transmitter for transmitting said uniquelocation identifier to said communication device and said communicationdevice includes at least one infrared sensor for receiving said uniquelocation identifier from said infrared transmitter.
 3. A locationdetection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locator includesat least one radio frequency identification tag for transmitting saidunique location identifier to said communication device using radiofrequency.
 4. A location detection system as set forth in claim 3including a tether connected to said locator for fixing said radiofrequency identification tag at the location.
 5. A location detectionsystem as set forth in claim 3, wherein said at least one radiofrequency identification tag is further defined as a magnetic radiofrequency identification tag having a magnet for coupling said magneticradio frequency identification tag to said locator to transmit saidunique location identifier to said communication device.
 6. A locationdetection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locator includesan ultrasonic transmitter and said communication device includes anultrasonic sensor.
 7. A location detection system as set forth in claim1, wherein said locator includes a magnetic inductively coupledtransmitter and said communication device includes a magneticinductively coupled sensor.
 8. A location detection system as set forthin claim 1, wherein said locator includes a modulated light transmitterand said communication device includes a modulated light sensor.
 9. Alocation detection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locatoris further defined as a plurality of WiFi access points and saidcommunication device comprises a WiFi receiver.
 10. A location detectionsystem as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locator includes anEthernet port for transmitting said unique location identifier to saidcommunication device over an Ethernet compliant cable.
 11. A locationdetection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communicationmodule transmits bed data from said patient handling device to saidprocessing station.
 12. A location detection system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said communication device comprises a receiver, atransmitter, or a transceiver.
 13. A location detection system for afacility, comprising: a patient handling device having a support surfacefor supporting a patient and being mobile for positioning at a locationin the facility; a locator fixed relative to said patient handlingdevice for transmitting a unique location identifier corresponding tothe location of said patient handling device; a processing stationremote from said patient handling device and said locator for receivingsaid unique location identifier such that the location of said patienthandling device can be determined and monitored remotely from saidpatient handling device; a receiver mounted to said patient handlingdevice for receiving said unique location identifier from said locator;and a communication module mounted to said patient handling device andin communication with said receiver, said communication module having aunique ID for said patient handling device and transmitting said uniqueID and said unique location identifier received by said receiver fromsaid patient handling device to said processing station such that saidpatient handling device acts as a communication link between saidlocator and said processing station, and said processing stationreceiving said unique location identifier and said unique ID andcorrelating said unique location identifier with said unique ID andfurther correlating said unique ID of said patient handling device witha patient supported by said patient handling device wherein saidprocessing station can track said patient handling device and thepatient supported thereby, said locator including at least one infraredtransmitter for transmitting said unique location identifier to saidreceiver and said receiver includes at least one infrared sensor forreceiving said unique location identifier from said infraredtransmitter, wherein said locator includes a plurality of infraredtransmitters for transmitting said unique location identifier to saidreceiver and said receiver includes a plurality of infrared sensors forreceiving said unique location identifier from said infraredtransmitters thereby improving transmission of said unique locationidentifier.
 14. A location detection system for a facility, comprising:a patient handling device having a support surface for supporting apatient and being mobile for positioning at a location in the facility;a locator fixed relative to said patient handling device fortransmitting a unique location identifier corresponding to the locationof said patient handling device; a processing station remote from saidpatient handling device and said locator for receiving said uniquelocation identifier such that the location of said patient handlingdevice can be determined and monitored remotely from said patienthandling device; a receiver mounted to said patient handling device forreceiving said unique location identifier from said locator; and acommunication module mounted to said patient handling device and incommunication with said receiver, said communication module having aunique ID for said patient handling device and transmitting said uniqueIll and said unique location identifier received by said receiver fromsaid patient handling device to said processing station such that saidpatient handling device acts as a communication link between saidlocator and said processing station, and said processing stationreceiving said unique location identifier and said unique ID andcorrelating said unique location identifier with said unique ID andfurther correlating said unique ID of said patient handling device witha patient supported by said patient handling device wherein saidprocessing station can track said patient handling device and thepatient supported thereby, said locator including at least one infraredtransmitter for transmitting said unique location identifier to saidreceiver and said receiver includes at least one infrared sensor forreceiving said unique location identifier from said infraredtransmitter, wherein said locator includes at least one infrared sensorfor receiving a request signal from said receiver and said receiverincludes at least one infrared transmitter for transmitting said requestsignal from said receiver to said locator.
 15. A location detectionsystem as set forth in claim 14 including a battery for powering saidlocator wherein said locator normally operates in a sleep mode untilsaid request signal is received by said at least one infrared sensor ofsaid locator thereby conserving said battery.
 16. A location detectionsystem as set forth in claim 14, wherein said locator includes aplurality of infrared sensors for receiving said request signal fromsaid receiver and said receiver includes a plurality of infraredtransmitters for transmitting said request signal from said receiver tosaid locator thereby improving transmission of said request signal. 17.A location detection system for a facility, comprising: a patienthandling device having a support surface for supporting a patient andbeing mobile for positioning at a location in the facility; a locatorfixed relative to said patient handling device for transmitting a uniquelocation identifier corresponding to the location of said patienthandling device; a processing station remote from said patient handlingdevice and said locator for receiving said unique location identifiersuch that the location of said patient handling device can be determinedand monitored remotely from said patient handling device; a receivermounted to said patient handling device for receiving said uniquelocation identifier from said locator; and a communication modulemounted to said patient handling device and in communication with saidreceiver. said communication module having a unique ED for said patienthandling device and transmitting said unique ID and said unique locationidentifier received by said receiver from said patient handling deviceto said processing station such that said patient handling device actsas a communication link between said locator and said processingstation, and said processing station receiving said unique locationidentifier and said unique ID and correlating said unique locationidentifier with said unique ID and further correlating said unique ID ofsaid patient handling device with a patient supported by said patienthandling device wherein said processing station can track said patienthandling device and the patient supported thereby, said locatorincluding at least one radio frequency identification tag fortransmitting said unique location identifier to said receiver usingradio frequency, wherein said locator includes a plurality of radiofrequency identification tags for transmitting said unique locationidentifier to said receiver.
 18. A location detection system for afacility, comprising: a patient handling device having a support surfacefor supporting a patient and being mobile for positioning at a locationin the facility; a locator fixed relative to said patient handlingdevice for transmitting a unique location identifier corresponding tothe location of said patient handling device; a processing stationremote from said patient handling device and said locator for receivingsaid unique location identifier such that the location of said patienthandling device can be determined and monitored remotely from saidpatient handling device; a receiver mounted to said patient handlingdevice for receiving said unique location identifier from said locator;a communication module mounted to said patient handling device and incommunication with said receiver, said communication module having aunique ID for said patient handling device and transmitting said uniqueID and said unique location identifier received by said receiver fromsaid patient handling device to said processing station such that saidpatient handling device acts as a communication link between saidlocator and said processing station, and said processing stationreceiving said unique location identifier and said unique ID andcorrelating said unique location identifier with said unique ID andfurther correlating said unique ID of said patient handling device witha patient supported by said patient handling device wherein saidprocessing station can track said patient handling device and thepatient supported thereby, said locator including at least one radiofrequency identification tag for transmitting said unique locationidentifier to said receiver using radio frequency; and a nurse callinterface port and a cable interconnecting said nurse call interfaceport and said patient handling device with said at least one radiofrequency identification tag mounted to one end of said cable.
 19. Amethod of detecting a location of a patient and a patient handlingdevice having a support surface supporting the patient and being adaptedto be transported throughout a facility, said method comprising:transporting the patient handling device to the location in thefacility, the patient handling device having a unique ID associatedtherewith; transmitting a request signal from said patient handlingdevice to a locator fixed at the location: in response to receiving saidrequest signal. transmitting a unique location identifier correspondingto the location of the patient handling device from the locator to acommunication device mounted to the patient handling device;transmitting the unique location identifier and the unique ID from thepatient handling device to a processing station remote from the patienthandling device; correlating the unique location identifier with theunique ID; and correlating the unique ID with a patient supported by thepatient handling device, such that the location of the patient and/orthe patient handling device can be determined and monitored remotelyfrom the patient handling device.
 20. A method as set forth in claim 19,wherein transmitting the unique location identifier from the locator tothe patient handling device is further defined as transmitting aninfrared location signal from an infrared transmitter of the locator toan infrared sensor of the receiver.
 21. A method as set forth in claim20, wherein transmitting the unique location identifier from the patienthandling device to the processing station is further defined astransmitting the unique location identifier from a communication modulesupported by the patient handling device to the processing station suchthat the patient handling device acts as a communication link betweenthe locator and the processing station.
 22. A method of detecting alocation of a patient and a patient handling device having a supportsurface supporting the patient and being adapted to be transportedthroughout a facility, said method comprising: transporting the patienthandling device to the location in the facility, the patient handlingdevice having a unique ID associated therewith; transmitting a uniquelocation identifier corresponding to the location of the patienthandling device from a locator fixed at the location to a receivermounted to the patient handling device; transmitting the unique locationidentifier and the unique ID from the patient handling device to aprocessing station remote from the patient handling device; correlatingthe unique location identifier with the unique ID; and correlating theunique ID with a patient supported by the patient handling device, suchthat the location of the patient handling device and the patient can bedetermined and monitored remotely from the patient handling device, saidtransmitting the unique location identifier from the locator to thepatient handling device comprises transmitting an infrared locationsignal from an infrared transmitter of the locator to an infrared sensorof the receiver, said transmitting the unique location identifier fromthe patient handling device to the processing station further comprisestransmitting the unique location identifier from a communication modulesupported by the patient handling device to the processing station suchthat the patient handling device acts as a communication link betweenthe locator and the processing station, further comprising transmittinga request signal from the patient handling device to the locator to wakethe locator from a sleep mode.
 23. A method as set forth in claim 22,wherein transmitting the request signal includes transmitting aninfrared request signal from an infrared transmitter of the receiver andreceiving the infrared request signal at an infrared sensor of thelocator after transporting the patient handling device to the location.